Cabaye, 27, was the subject of speculation in the summer that saw him linked with a number of clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco, and Arsenal. Only the Gunners submitted an official bid, which was rejected outright by Newcastle and described as "derisory".

Refusing to play until his future had been sorted, Cabaye received a mixed reaction at first when he finally returned against Fulham. However, that was quickly forgotten, and after scoring the only goal in the 1-0 win against Manchester United on Saturday, Shearer feels the Magpies' faithful deserve a debt of thanks for spurring Cabaye on.

"There was talk before the start of the season of him going to different clubs," he told the Evening Chronicle. "It was rumoured that Arsenal were in for him. To be fair to him he's got his head down and knuckled down and is playing some excellent football.

"I think the fans deserve a little bit of credit for the way they backed him and showed him how much they want him to stay here. It might have been different if they had turned their back on him. But they gave him a great reception in the first couple of games. It has certainly helped him. He is playing very well at the moment."

Suspended for Saturday's visit of Southampton, the France international will be a miss for a Newcastle side looking to consolidate their place in the top half of the Premier League. With manager Alan Pardew eager to get one over on his former employers, he said that Cabaye's absence was a blow.

"The most important game is always the next one," he said. "We've lost Yohan for the next game and that's a blow to us. But the way we have played has given me confidence to put any type of game plan in front of this group. And they will do it to the best of their ability.

"What we have to do is build on this now. We are in a great position. We have a good side coming here against my old team, and I really want to win that - trust me! We will be up for that one. Let's hope we get a couple of breaks and get a win then too."